Vmax, aspiration, Vettel feverish, Hamilton champion: The Grand Prix in questions – Grand Prix of Mexico 2018 – Formula 1

A first Red Bull line that smells of sulfur?

No, according to poleman Daniel Ricciardo. He and Max Verstappen learned from their crash of the last Azerbaijani Grand Prix. "No one wants to fight like in Baku, so no one will have a heart attack"badured "Honey Badger".

What are the strengths of RB14?

"The Red Bulls were really fast in sector 2, the Renault engine seems to be working well at high altitude and therefore their package with strong support, summarized Lewis Hamilton.

The Vmax, Achilles heel Mercedes?

Yes, to hear Toto Wolff. "It's certainly good to have each of our cars in front of a Ferrari but they are so fast in a straight line that keeping them behind us will not be easy.", warned the team director.

In qualifying, Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel recorded the best top speeds. In the speed trap, the Finn peaked at 356.4 km / h against 348.0 in Hamilton (8th) and 347.2 in Bottas (12th). The V6 of Maranello monopolized the Top 4 with his factory team and Sauber, except in sector 2, where Valtteri Bottas slipped to 3rd place ahead of Marcus Ericsson and Charles Leclerc.

However, Lewis Hamilton believes he will have a card to play against the Red Bull. "It all depends on the way we take off the grid but third is a good place to go here: we take the aspiration of the guys in front I will fight at least to win a position", he said.

"In any case, the run between the starting grid and turn # 1 will be exciting"Toto Wolff announced. With 700 meters, it is actually the third longest of the season after the 800 meters of Sochi and the 730 meters of Montmelo.

Where is the Ferrari in trouble?

"It is clear that we are very fast in a straight line, but in turns, we do not have the same grip as Mercedes and Red Bull, which are very strong, especially in the last sector, and take up a lot of time", said Sebastian Vettel, fourth on the grid.

Vettel serene at first?

Not really, and it will have to change if he wants to maintain a semblance of suspense in the title race. In three Mexican editions, the No. 5 Maranello has lost all chance of well appearing in the first three corners: unchallenging clash with Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) but puncture at turn n ° 1 in 2015, misjudgment and contact with Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) at No. 3 in 2017. Not to mention that in 2016, he fell a notch in the first round.

Does the circuit promote overtaking?

The main straight line is 1020 meters but that does not lead to an average of exceptional maneuvers: there were 27 overtaking in 2015, 25 in 2016 and 24 in 2017.

Which strategy?

A consensus emerges in the Top 6 between Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari: they will start in "ultra tender" to observe two stops.

What results can top Lewis Hamilton?

The Briton will start the race with a 70-point lead over Sebastian Vettel and he will have 50 points on the checkered flag. If the German does not win, he will automatically be champion. If the German wins, he will have to secure a 7th place at worst.